Premier League announce record season ticket sales

Junior tickets sales in particular saw a marked rise

(Getty Images)

The Premier League has reported record adult and junior season ticket sales for 2012-13.

Total adult sales across the 20 top-flight clubs last term were 476,776, beating the previous best of 476,267 from the 2007-08 campaign.

The figure represents a seven per cent increase on 2004/05, the first season the Premier League started compiling season ticket data.

However, league officials were even more delighted with the impressive junior season ticket sales.

An overall sale of 58,546 represents a massive 26 per cent increase from 2004-05, achieved as a result of major new initiatives aimed at attracting more fans to games.

Some of the moves highlighted by the Premier League include:

- Everton reporting a 39 per cent surge in season ticket sales for Under-16s after introducing a £95 season ticket for Under 11s and a £149 ticket for those aged 12-16.

- Newcastle United claim to have Europe's largest family enclosure area of almost 8,200 for 2013-14, with a combined adult and child season ticket available for £483.

- Aston Villa offering family season tickets for two adults and two children, with prices starting at £650 for families with children under-8 and £695 for those under-16.

- Arsenal launching the 'Young Guns' Enclosure for supporters aged 12 to 16 with access to 1,000 tickets to every weekend category B and C Premier League match for a fixed price of £10.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has called on all clubs to come up with some kind of fan initiative, which also includes Stoke offering free travel to away games.

"Making football more attractive and more affordable for families is something clubs have worked hard at over the last few years," said Cathy Long, the Premier League's head of supporter services.

"Football is increasingly a family affair - 29 per cent of fans attend with children, and the clubs are doing a better job in making football more accessible to them.

"In 2009, 76% of parents thought clubs catered well for their need, but that had increased to 87 per cent last season."

Season Total Sales Total Junior Sales

2012/13 476,776 58,546

2011/12 457,151 56,024

2010/11 461,334 58,106

2009/10 455,617 57,097

2008/09 475,128 58,313

2007/08 476,267 56,235

2006/07 450,998 52,494

2005/06 448,655 49,101

2004/05 445,281 46,325

PA